Parotid block mouth chock



Jan. 8, 1957 F. M. MCGAHEE PAROTID BLOCK MOUTH CHOCK Filed July 6, 1954IN VEN TOR.

'FPAA/C/S M MEGAHEE ATTOR/Vfy United States Patent PAROTID BLOCK MOUTHCHOCK Francis M. McGahee, Jacksonville, Fla. Application July 6, 1954,Serial No. 441,611

. 11 Claims. or. 32-35 This invention relates to dental mouth chocks andis particularly concerned with means for blocking the parotid duct so asto preclude the flow of saliva therefrom in addition to supportingabsorbent material adjacent the area during dental Work.

Heretofore numerous devices have been designed and used for theretention within the mouth of absorbent material particularly cottonrolls. Such devices may be effective in securing the roll, but frequentreplacement thereof is required since the saliva ducts are continuouslydischarging saliva into the mouth cavity. Another difliculty of suchdevices is the fact that they are frequently formed of sheet metalmaterial and are of such dimensions as to be extremely uncomfortable andfrequently gag the patient. Devices heretofore used to retain absorbentrolls within the month have also frequently involved structures blockingthe mouth orifice and precluding convenient access by the dentist.

It is therefore among the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a novel, efiicient and effective mouth chock which may bereadily applied anl removed, and which will be light in weight andsturdy in design.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for supportingand retaining a cotton roll in the buccal vestibule in such manner as toprovide suitable access to the posterior teeth of the upper arch.

A further object of the present invention isto provide means forapplying pressure to and blocking the parotid duct so as to inhibit theflow of saliva to the buccalvestibule.

It is also one of the objects of the invention to provide a device ofthe character set forth including means for supporting the mandible inopen position so as to ease the muscular strain on the patient duringdental operations.

These and other objects and features of the present :invention includethe provision of a light wire chock assembly readily adjustable toconform with various sizes of patients, arranged to leave free access tothe mouth and providing a support for the lip adjacent the point ofoperation.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will beapparent on the consideration of the follow- ,ing specification, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

shown in Fig. l. i

Fig. 4 is a sideelevational view of the right-hand chock shown inoperative position.

Fig. 5 is a view of the left-hand .ehock in position looking upwardlytoward the palate.

Briefly stated, the inventiveco'ncept here presented may be defined ascomprising a framestructure preferably formed ofa single length ofsubstantially rigid; light gauge wire having sufficient resiliency topermit adjust- 2,776,489 Patented Jan. 8, 1957 ments of curvature toconform to special needs. Adjacent one end thereof is a cradle to bedisposed, substantially horizontally, within the buccal vestibule tosupport a cotton roll in pressure relation against the zygomatlc processto inhibit flow of saliva from the parotid duct. In the form of theinvention here shown, an outwardly extending lip supporting memberprotrudes outwardly from the cradle. From the cradle supporting portionthere is provided a downwardly extending maxillary tuberosity arch fromwhich a horizontal portion extends across the roof of the mouth adjacentthe palate fitting the incisal embrasure of the upper teeth and extendsexteriorly of the mouth to provide an elongated shank upon which isadjustably mounted means for engaging one or more teeth of the mandibleso as to permit the mandible pressure to be exerted in the cradle andalso to retain the mandible open and the patients jaw relaxed. Amanipulating handle is formed at the lower end of the shank.

Referring now to the drawings, the cradle is indicated by the numeral 10and comprises an open elongated circular form of wire at the anteriorend of which an upwardly and outwardly inclined lip support 11 isprovided, preferably including a bulbous tip 12 as a safeguard againstpossible injury in applying and removing the chock. At the opposite endof the cradle 10 a downwardly extending substantially U-shaped maxillarytuberosity arch 13 is formed to receive the tuberosity when the cradleis in position within the buccal vestibule and retaining a cotton rollagainst the zygomatic process of the maxillary bone. From the arch 13 adownwardly inclined offset 14 joins the arch with a horizontal member 15adapted to extend transversely across the incisal embrasure of the upperteeth to emerge from the mouth at the opposite side from the cradlewhere it is joined by a vertical shank 16, the lower end of the shank 16is provided with a substantially U-shaped horizontally disposed handle17.

Slideably mounted on the shank 16 there is provided an adjusting block18 of substantial thickness as compared with the wire of the shank andhaving a vertical aperture formed therethrough to receive the shank. Theaperture in the block 18 is somewhat larger than the diameter of theshank, the arrangement being such that free sliding motion of the blockis permitted while disposed in a plane normal to the axis of the shank;however, a tilting of the block will cause its seizure of the shank,thus locking the block and shank in adjusted relation. At the oppositeend of the block 18 there is pivotally connected an arm 19 formed withan upwardly extending how 20 to receive the lower lip, while the innerend of the bow is provided with a saddle 21 adapted to receive one ofthe lower teeth.

It will, of course, be understood that the devices of the invention areleftor right-handed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It will further beunderstood that while a steel wire of approximately 11 gauge issuggested, the invention is not limited to either Wire or to the sizeand material indicated. While the device is generally applicable to aWide variety of mouth sizes, it is suggested that an adult size would beinconvenient and uncomfortable for use on children; however, thestructure and arrangement is such that one standard size would beapplicable for all adults while a smaller size would be standard for allchildren. Since the structure is of light gauge wire it will beunderstood that minor changes in shape and configuration to accommodatespecific problems a they arise may be made without difficulty;

In the operation of my device, when work is to be done on an upper toothof the rightor left-hand side, the appropriate chock is selected, a rollof cotton or some equivalent yieldable and/ or absorbent material isplaced in the buccal vestibule, then the instrument is introduced intothe mouth so that the cradle comes into contact with the cotton roll,and the portion 11 extends outwardly to raise and support the upper lipat the corner of the mouth. In so positioning the cradle the maxillarytuberosity arch engages over the tuberosity distal to the second andthird molar teeth and the portion 15 extends diametrically across themouth roof to join the vertical shank which is thus disposed from theopposite side of the mouth. The block 18 is then vertically adjusted toplace the saddle 21 on an appropriate incisor with the arch receivingthe lower lip. As the patient then relaxes the jaws, upward pressurewill be exerted on saddle 21, thereby camming the block 18 and thuslocking it against further vertical movement on the shank 16. Suchrelaxation will produce an upper thrust on the shank to exert pressureby the cotton roll or its equivalent on the zygomatic process of themaxillary bone and thus against the parotid duct to prevent the fiow ofsaliva. From the foregoing, it will be seen that not only is the relaxedattitude of the patients jaws effective in applying the requiredpressure to inhibit saliva flow from the parotid gland but in additionthereto the patients jaws are braced in the open position so that a morerelaxed posture is possible. in addition, the chock will precludeprematurely accidental closing of the mouth by the patient.

Thus it will be seen that the present invention provides a light,inexpensive, durable and highly effective and etficient means forsupporting absorbent material within the buccal vestibule and withsaliva inhibiting pressure against the parotid duct. The device alsolifts and retains the upper lip free for operation on the posteriorteeth of the upper arch and is yet externally disposed at the oppositeside of the mouth giving free access to such teeth. The engagement ofthe adjustable saddle maintains the desired pressure on the parotid ductand at the same time comfortably braces the patients jaws in openposition.

It will, of course, be understood that the invention is not limited orrestricted to the structural details herein set forth, or to the size,shape or material suggested, and that numerous changes, modificationsand the full use of equivalents may be resorted to in the practice ofthe invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof asdefined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a frame including a portionto be received in the buccal vestibule of the mouth and means forapplying pressure by said portron against the zygomatic process of themaxillary bone to inhibit the flow of saliva from the parotid duct, saidmeans being engageable with a lower tooth whereby the patients mandiblewill apply such pressure.

2. In a device of the character described, a frame including a rollholding cradle to be received in the buccal vestibule of the mouth, andmeans for applying pressure by a roll carried by said portion againstthe zygomatic process of the maxillary bone to inhibit the Slew ofsaliva from the parotid duct, said means being engageable with a lowertooth whereby the patients mandible will apply such pressure.

3. In a device of the character described, a frame including a rollholding cradle to be received in the buccal vestibule of the mouth, andmeans for applying pressure by a roll carried by said portion againstthe zygomatic process of the maxillary bone to inhibit the How of salivafrom the parotid duct, said means being engageable with a lower toothwhereby the patients mandible will apply such pressure, said means beingadjustable and responsive to pressure of the mandible to secure the samein adjusted position.

4. A dental roll holder including a roll cradle adapted to be disposedwithin the buccal vestibule of a patient, a horizontal supporting memberfor said cradle extending across the mouth to the opposite side thereof,an external shank engaging said member, and means on said shank forsupporting said cradle in position.

5. A dental roll holder including a roll cradle adapted to be disposedwithin the buccal vestibule of a patient, a horizontal supporting memberfor said cradle extending across the mouth to the opposite side thereof,an external shank engaging said member, and adjustable means on saidshank for supporting said cradle in position.

6. A dental roll holder including a roll cradle adapted to be disposedwithin the buccal vestibule of a patient, a horizontal supporting memberfor said cradle extending across the mouth to the opposite side thereof,an external downwardly extending shank engaging said member, andadjustable means on said shank engageable with teeth of the mandible forsupporting said cradle in position.

7. A dental roll holder including a roll cradle adapted to be disposedwithin the buccal vestibule or" a patient, a horizontal supportingmember for said cradle extending across the mouth to the opposite sidethereof and fitting the incisal embrasure of the upper teeth, anexternal vertical shank engaging said member, and adjustable means onsaid shank engageable with teeth of the mandible for supporting saidcradle in position.

8. A dental roll holder including a roll cradle adapted to be disposedwithin the buccal vestibule of a patient, a horizontal supporting memberfor said cradle extending across the mouth to the opposite side thereofand fitting the incisal embrasure of the upper teeth, an externalvertical shank engaging said member, and adjustable means on said shankengageable with teeth of the mandible for supporting said cradle inposition, said means being slideable on said shank and responsive topressure of the mandible to retain the same in adjusted position.

9. A dental roll holder including a roll cradle adapted to be disposedwithin the buccal vestibule of a patient, a horizontal supporting memberfor said cradle extending across the mouth to the opposite side thereofand fitting the incisal embrasure of the upper teeth, an externalvertical shank engaging said member, adjustable means on said shankengageable with teeth of the mandible for supporting said cradle inposition, said means being slideable on said shank and responsive topressure of the mandible to retain the same in adjusted position, and amanipulating handle at one end of said shank.

10. A dental roll holder including a roll cradle adapted to be disposedwithin the buccal vestibule of a patient, a horizontal supporting memberfor said cradle extending across the mouth to the opposite side thereofand fitting the incisal embrasure of the upper teeth, an externalvertical shank engaging said member, adjustable means on said shankengageable with teeth of the mandible for supporting said cradle inposition, said means being slideable on said shank and responsive topressure of the mandible to retain the same in adjusted position, and anupper lip supporting member extending outwardly from said cradle.

11. A dental roll holder including a roll cradle adapted to be disposedwithin the buccal vestibule of a patient, a horizontal supporting memberfor said cradle extending across the mouth to the opposite side thereofand fitting the incisal embrasure of the upper teeth, an externalvertical shank engaging said member, adjustable means on said shankengageable with teeth of the mandible for supporting said cradle inposition, said means being slideable on said shank and responsive topressure of the mandible to retain the same in adjusted position, amanipulating handle at one end of said shank, and an upper lipsupporting member extending outwardly from said cradle.

Hartig Oct. 21, 1952 Kanter Sept. 8, 1953

